Is There a Breast Lift Technique That Does Not Involve Moving the Nipple?

Question

I'm 29, & wear an F cup. Following some weight loss my breasts feel less firm & the skin is slacker but only around the sides, from the top of my ribs up into the armpit. From the front and on a 3/4 view they still look & feel full, perky, & the nipple position is good. But in profile the area where the breast joins the body is not pleasing, mostly on the left side which is the bigger breast. Is it possible just to pull up or excise some skin in this area, eg with an incision in the armpit?

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

It's difficult to answer a specific question about your breasts without photos. In general given your breast size, it is unlikely that a lift could be done without making an incision around the areola, removing the excess tissue, and redraping the remaining skin and breast tissue around the nipple into a pleasing contour. If all of the extra breast tissue and skin is below the nipple (and the nipple is in good position) it may be possible to remove it with just an incision in the fold, but again, this is not the most likely situation.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Hi English Rose,

	Please submit photos. It is nearly impossible to answer your question without seeing what you actually look like. Also, if you are in a weight loss program and are planning on loosing additional weight, that will change things. In the long run, you may end up needing to move the areola/nipple up. I suspect you (like many others) are afraid of the unsightly scars left after standard breast lift techniques. FYI, there is a lifting/reduction technique that minimizes visible scars and has NO VERTICAL SCAR. It allows for maximum cleavage, upper pole fullness without the need for an implant. Best wishes, Dr. H

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Depending on your exact anatomy, there may be additional skin tightening options, but to explore them will require a set of photographs at minimum, and direct examination and measurements optimally.

	The least number and degree of scars that can achieve your goals is the best plan, but loose skin requires skin removal and scars, in many cases around the nipple/areola complex in order to raise its position properly atop the tightened skin brassiere. BTW, a scar around your areola does NOT mean that it was detached and reattached as a skin graft; in fact, the opposite is true in the majority of cases! The nipple/areola complex is left attached to the glandular tissues, preserving sensation and ability to breast-feed in a majority of patients. Detachment and grafting is necessary only in rare cases, and will result in anesthetic (numb) and non-functional (ability to breast feed) nipples when this is done.

	Tailoring your skin excisions and scars to your exact anatomic needs and goals will give you the results that will be the best cosmetically, and least likely to require revision.

	See one of more American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons who do lots of breast surgery and see what your options are. Best wishes!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Based on the description of your breast size it is extremely likely that your breasts and the nipple/areola are too low on the chest wall. Therefore, breast lifting/reduction will necessitate an incision around the nipple/areola complexes to move them upwards on the chest wall ( to sit on the appropriate spot on the lifted breast mound).

	Best wishes.

Daniel Del Vecchio, MD · Answer

Jack Fisher, in Nashville is doing breast lifts using barbed threads.  I think this may be a potential solution in selected patients-  You may want to take a look at his practice-

	 

	Best Regards,

	Daniel Del vecchio,  MD  Boston

Is There a Breast Lift Technique That Does Not Involve Moving the Nipple?

Answers (8)